Automatic part loading machine



Dec. 8, 1953 c. s. KASPER AUTOMATIC PART LOADING MACHINE Filed 001;. 8, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 6 455 5 Ag er.

BY m w Dec. 8, 1953 c. s. KASPER AUTOMATIC PART LOADING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 195].

INVENTOR.

Dec. 8, 1953 c. s. KASPER AUTOMATIC PART LOADING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 8, 1951 .r 5 Z 2 wk 2 v? Dec. s, 1953 c. s. KASPER 2,661,881

AUTOMATIC PART LOADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Dec. 8. 1953 c. s. KASPER 2,661,881

AUTOMATIC PART LOADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 HUI. 1 IL Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC PART LOADING MACHINE Cass S. Kasper, Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Application October 8, 1951, Serial No. 250,297

14 Claims. (01. 226-2) The present invention relates to an improved automatic part loading machine and more particularly to an improved machine which automatically counts and packages parts.

Various small parts of a wide variety of shapes and sizes are frequently sold or shipped in a single package. The automobile industry in particular spends much time and expense in the packaging of such parts. Previously the packaging of such parts has been inefficient and expensive. It will be appreciated, of course, that the automobile industry is only mentioned as one illustration of an industry in which there is extensive packaging of small parts and the improved machine of the present invention may be em ployed whenever it is desired to count and package small parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine adapted to receive a quantity of parts to be packaged and which, upon operation thereof, will automatically count the parts and deliver a predetermined number of parts to each package so long as the operator keeps it supplied with empty packages and parts to be counted.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned type adapted to be adjusted to accurately count and package any one of a large variety of parts of widely differing shapes and sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for accurately counting a predetermined number of parts and which means automatically rejects parts not properly disposed for accurate counting.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved machine of the above mentioned type having an improved means for supporting a plurality of packages and indexing said packages to a loading station, and which is adapted to receive packages or receptacles of various types and is adjustable by a single adjustment to change the size package which it is adapted to support.

A further object is to provide an improved part packaging machine of the above mentioned type vhich will automatically stop if it is not properly supplied with packages.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved part packaging machine of the above mentioned type which in operation automatical- 1y delays a predetermined desired minimum period of time between indexing operations, independently of whether the predetermined count has been completed, thus insuring adequate time 2 for the operator to service the machine between indexing operations.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an automatic part loading machine embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged broken plan view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 3-3 thereof;

Figure 4 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 44 thereof;

Figure 5 is a broken elevational View of the structure illustrated in Figure 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 6@ thereof;

Figure 7 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken along the line 1-! thereof;

Figure 8 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 8-8 thereof;

Figure 9 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 9--El thereof;

Figure 10 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 4, taken substantially along the line l'ili9 thereof and showing parts broken away and illustrates the adjusted position of certain of the elements for handling washers;

Figure 11 is a broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figure 10, taken substantially along the line |lll thereof;

Figure 12 is a broken elevational view similar to Figure 10 showing the machine adjusted for handling cotter pins;

Figure 13 is a broken elevational view of the structure illustrated in Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrow l3 thereof;

Figure 14 is a broken elevational view showing the use or" the machine with bags as the part receiving receptacles;

Figure 15 is a broken plan view showing a modified construction in which the rotary brush and the photoelectric cell assembly which counts the parts, are carried on the same supporting bracket; and,

} ing movement.

aeenssi Figure 16 is a bro-ken elevational view of the structure illustrated in Figure 15.

The automatic part loading machine of the present invention includes a table generally indicated at 20 including a flat rectangular table top 22. A hopper 24 is supported on the table top 22 adjacent one end thereof as hereinafter described and has a high point 26 (see Figure 2) centrally of its bottom 28 which slopes downwardly to the outer wall. A ramp 3!! spirals upwardly from the bottom 28 at the outer edge thereof and terminates at a counting station at the top of the hopper. The hopper is of a conventional electromagnetic vibrator type and during operation thereof parts placed within the hopper 24 move toward the outer edge of the bottom 26 and upwardly along the ramp 36. The ramp 3!! has a slight slope downwardly toward its outer side which serves as hereinafter described to keep the parts on the ramp 30.

Referring to Figure 3, the supporting structure mounting the hopper 24 on the table top 22 includes an annular plate 32 from which it is insulated by the annular ring 34, and another annular ring 36 upon which the plate 32 is mounted and which is in turn supported in spaced relation above the table top 22 by a supporting ring 38. An annular plate is concentric with the annular ring 36 and fits therearound for rotary movement relative thereto to provide a turntable. The plate 40 is supported adjacent its inner peripheral edge on a portion of the annu- Iar ring 38 which extends radially outwardly of the ring 36. At its outer peripheral edge the plate 40 is supported on an annular supporting member. An annular external ring gear 44 is fixed to the underside of the plate 46 by a plurality of screws 46 and is drivingly engaged by a pinion gear 48 fixed on a vertically disposed shaft 50 extending upwardly through the tabe top 22.

A pulley 52 is journaled on the shaft 50 below the table top 22 and is driven by a belt 66 also trained over a second pulley wheel 56 driven from a motor 58. The pulley 62 is connected to the shaft 56 through the clutch mechanism generally indicated at 66 which may be of any suitable design which will engage to provide a predetermined desired rotary movement and automatically disengage, to provide a desired index- Since the details of this clutch mechanism form no part of the present invention and since clutches of this general type are wellknown, the details of the clutch 66' will not be described herein.

The annular plate 40 carries a plurality of pairs.

of spaced resilient jaws, each pair including a pivotally supported jaw 62 and a fixed jaw 63 which are adapted to co-operate to engage and hold in place suitable part receptacles supported on the plate 40. The movable jaw 62 of each pair of jaws is carried on a ring 64 which is supported on the plate 40 by a plurality of studs 66 threaded into the plate 46. Referring to Figure 7, each movable jaw 62 mounted on the ring 64 includes a yoke 68 having spaced arms 10 and I2 engaging flats provided at the upper and lower sides of the sides of the ring, 64. The yoke 68 is pivotally mounted on the ring 64 by a pin 14 extending through the yoke arms 16 and T2 and through the portion of the ring 64 received therebetween, and extending into and having a threaded engagement with the upper end of the stud 66. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the yoke arms In and 1 2 are provided with bearings 16 and 18 through which the pin M extends. The lower yoke arm 12 extends inwardly of the ring 64 and turns downwardly as indicated at 80. At its inner end it carries a cam follower 32 depending from its inner end and secured thereto by a screw 84. The cam follower 82 is received in a. channel-shaped groove 86 formed in the upper surface of the annular plate 32 adjacent the outer periphery thereof. As is clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the channelshaped groove 86 is generally circular in shape with the exception of an inwardly offset portion 88.

Referring to Figure 6, the stationary jaw 63 of each pair is secured to a bracket 66 having a recess 92 in its under-surface adapted to slidably receive the ring 64. The brackets carrying the fixed jaw 63 are interconnected by a ring 94 of smaller radius than the ring 64 and which is secured to each of the brackets 90 by screws 96 extending outwardly through the ring 94 and into co-operating tapped recesses in the brackets 90. In the preferred embodiment illustrated a few of the brackets 90 carry cover plates 93 secured to the underside thereof by screws I00 to prevent the assembly comprising the ring 94, the brackets 90 and jaws 63 carried thereby from moving upwardly relative to the outer ring 64.

Referring to Figure 8, a sector of the ring 64 is provided with gear teeth 162 at the underside thereof and the ring 94, adjacent the gear teeth W2 is provided with a downwardly extending projection I04 integrally formed thereon or suitably welded thereto. The projection !64 has a horizontally extending cylindrical opening I36 adapted to receive a pilot shaft portion I08 on the inner end of a hand tool H0 having a pinion gear portion H2 adapted to engage the teeth E02 of the ring 64. It will now be appreciated that the spacing between the jaws 62 and 63 of each pair of jaws may be simultaneously adjusted by means of the hand tool H6. It will also be appreciated that upon rotation of the plate 46, the movable jaw 62 of each pair maintains the same spacing relative to the fixed jaw 62 while the cam follower 82 is in the circular portion of the groove 86 and until the cam follower 82, moving along the groove 86 reaches the radially inwardly offset portion 38 of the groove 86. As the cam follower 62 moves into this inwardly cll'set portion 88 the jaw 62 is pivoted away from the fixed jaw 63 with which it co--operates, to the position illustrated in Figure 2, releasing the receptacle H6 normally gripped between the cooperating jaws 62 and 63'. Upon continued rotation of the plate 40, as the cam follower 82 moves from the offset portion 86, the jaw 62 is returned to its normal spacing from its co-operating stationary jaw 63 in which it is adapted: to again resiliently grip a receptacle 1 l6.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein, an automatic unloading arm H4 is mounted on the table top 22 and extends above the plate 40 and below the jaws 62 and 63 to engage the boxes I [6 supported on the plate 46. The unloading arm H4 is disposed to engage the boxes H6 after they are moved to the position in which the movable jaw 62 has been pivoted to the open position as a result of the movement of the cam follower 82 thereof into the inwardly offset portion 88 of the groove 86. The arm H4 is disposed as illustrated in Figure 2 so that upon rotation of the plate 40 itv cams the boxes H6 from between the open jaws 62, 63 and onto a plate I I8 mounted in the table top 22 and the upper surface of which is disposed at the elevation of the upper surface of the plate 40.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the jaws 62 and 63 are formed of spring steel to provide a resilient gripping of a receptacle received therebetween. As illustrated in the drawings, these jaws are shaped to provide a substantial area contact with the boxes I I6 and are also provided with vertically extending grooves I for engaging the opposite edge of bags or sacks I22 as illustrated in Figure 14. The upper surface of the plate 40 is also provided with grooves I24 adapted to receive the lower edge of the sacks I22.

As the parts are moving upwardly along the ramp of the hopper 24 they stay toward the outer side of the ramp 30 because of the above mentioned slight slope of the ramp 30 downwardly toward its outer side. During this movement along the ramp 30 the parts are held against movement radially outwardly off the ramp 30 by an upwardly extending wall portion I26 of the hopper. It will be appreciated that as the parts are moved up the ramp by operation of the electromagnetic vibrator hopper some of the parts may be piled upon others and some of the parts may be turned up on edge or otherwise improperly disposed for counting at the counting station by the means hereinafter described.

To prevent such improperly disposed parts from reaching the counting station, the machine of the present invention is provided with means including a selector element I28 which removes from the ramp any parts which project above the ramp more than a desired predetermined distance. The selector element I28 is connected to the output shaft I30 of an electric motor I32 by which it is driven. The motor I32 is carried on a generally horizontally disposed platform I34 with its output shaft I30 extending downwardly at right angles thereto. The platform I34 is pivotally mounted at one end on a carriage I36 vertically movable along an upright supporting bracket I38 by means of a screw I40 provided with a suitable crank I42 at its upper end. The

platform I34 may be pivotally adjusted relative to the carriage I34 to which it is connected by the pivot pin I44, by means of a set screw I46 extending generally horizontally through a portion of the platform I34 and engaging the carriage I36. It will be appreciated that the above mounting for the motor I32 permits adjustment of the vertical spacing of the selector element I28 relative to the ramp 30 and also permits adjust ment of the inclination of the axis of rotation of the selector element I28 relative to the ramp 30.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the selector element I28 is a wire brush disposed with the wires thereof extending generally parallel to the axis of the brush and terminating at their outer ends in a plane disposed at right angles to the axis of the brush. Referring to Figure 2, the brush I28 rotates in a clockwise direction so that any parts which will not freely pass under the brush are thrown from the ramp 30 back down to the bottom of the hopper 24. Also, as illustrated in Figure 2, the supporting bracket I38 is so disposed on the table top 22 to which it is secured, that the brush I28 is disposed in spaced relation downwardly along the ramp 30 from its upper end I48 which is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 and which is shown more clearly in Figures 10 and 12.

The outer wall portion I26 terminates in spaced a 6 relation below the upper end I48 of the ramp 30 and the portion of the ramp 30 beyond the upper end of the wall portion I26 is substantially flat. A baffle plate I52 rests upon this flat portion of the ramp 30 and has its lower end pivotally connected to a block I54 secured to the outer side of the wall portion I26 by screws I56, by a pivot pin I50 which is disposed at right angles to the flat portion of the upper end of the ramp 30. The baifie plate I52 is pivotally moved for adjusting it toward or away from the inner edge of the ramp 30 by an adjusting screw I58, the inner end of which is connected to the baiiie plate I42 as indicated at I60 (see Figure 9) to provide a connection therewith permitting rotation of the screw I58 relative to the baffle plate I52 but preventing axial movement of the screw I58 relative to the plate I52. The screw IE8 is mounted in and has a threaded engagement with a plate I62 secured to the hopper by a screw I64 and extending upwardly from the outer edge of the ramp 36 in spaced relation from its upper end I48. The screw I58 carries a lock nut I66 by means of which it may be locked in adjusted .1 position and is provided with a knob I68 at its outer end. It will now be appreciated that after release of the lock nut I66, and by rotation of the knob I 68, the screw I58 may be threaded inwardly or outwardly relative to the plate I62 in which it is supported and such movement will be accompanied by pivotal movement of the bafile plate 452 about its pivotal connection to the block I54. By adjusting the baiile plate I 52 to the proper spacing from the inner edge of the ramp 30, the baffle plate I52 may be disposed so that elongated parts, such for example as the parts illustrated in Figure 12, when improperly turned relative to the ramp 38, will fall from the inner edge of the ramp 30 to the bottom of the hopper 24. The baflle plate I52 also co-operates, as hereinafter described, in properly positioning the parts during the counting thereof.

Figures 9, 10 and 12 also illustrate a construction which may be employed if desired to restrain. vertical movement of the parts as they move;

along the baffle plate I52. For this purpose the plate I52 may be provided with upwardly extending projections I'Hl carrying screws I12. flat plate I is disposed parallel to the fiat upperend portion of the ramp 38 and is adjustably supported in spaced relation thereto by angle straps I16, one leg of which is welded to the plate I'M and the other leg of each strap H6 is aligned with one of the projections M6 on the plate I52 and has an elongated opening W8 through which one of the screws H2 extends. The screws I72 are provided with nuts 80 co-operating therewith for clamping the angle straps H6 and hence the plate I74 in adjusted position.

A photoelectric cell assembly I82, including the usual light source and light receiver units I84 and I86 (see Figure 4), is disposed so that the beam of light between the light source and receiver units I84 and I86 extends generally vertically and is located beyond the upper end of the ramp 30. This beam of light is represented in Figures 10 and 12 by the dotted circles indicated at I90. The photoelectric cell assembly I82 may be supported by any suitable means permitting adjustment of the light beam I60 transversely of the ramp 30 and toward and away from the upper end I48 thereof. In the construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4 this is accomplished by mounting the photoelectric cell assembly 182 on a bracket I83, the base I of which is provided with a pair of parallel slots I81 extending transversely of and underlying slot I88 in the table top 22. The base I85 is secured to the table top 22 by bolts I89 extending through the base E and table top 22 and receiving co-operating nuts (not shown).

Another means of supporting the photoelectric cell assembly I82 is shown in Figures and 16. In the construction there illustrated the bracket I38 supports a carriage I36 which in addition to carrying the motor support I34 for pivotal adiustment by means of the screw I06, also carries a plate I89 upon which the photoelectric cell assembly I82 is mounted. In this modified construction a pair of vertically disposed U-clamps I9I and H3 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the plate I89 and the assembly I82 respectively. A connector bar I95 is gripped at its opposite ends by the clamps I9I and I93 which may be released or applied by rotation of the knobs I91 and I89. Also in this construction a blower MI is mounted on the carriage I38 at the opposite side from the plate I39 for directing warm air at the lens of the lower photoelectric cell unit I86 to prevent the collection of dust thereon.

Also mounted on the housing of the upper element. I84 0: the photoelectric cell 582 is a. bracket I92 in which is supported a vertically extending shaft I94 having a knob 203 fixed on its upper end. Thebracket I92. carries a set screw 205 for frictionally holding the shaft. 180 in any desired position of rotation. At its lower and the shaft I84 carries. a transversely extending shalt 201 and a set screw 200 engaging the. shaft 201 which may be released for sliding the shaft 201 transversely of the shaft 205, and tightened to hold it in adjusted position. At one end the shait 201 carries a baffle plate I96 which. extends laterally therefrom and is a fiat thin strip. of: resilient material. It will be appreciated that this mounting permits. the bail-1e plate I96 to be adjusted to any desired position relative to the outer baffle plate I52 for co-operation therewith.

It will be appreciated that the baffle I52 and. the baflle I90 co-operating therewith may be adjusted sothat each part passing from the end M8 or the ramp 30 will interrupt the beam of light I00 only once or, if desired,v because of the shape of the part, the adjustment may be. made so that the beam of light I90 is broken twice by each part in which event the machine would, or course. be set for twice the number of parts actually desired in each package.

A suitable chute generally indicated at 202 is disposed to receive the counted part's'passing, from the upper end of the ramp 30. andin the preferred embodiment illustrated includes an upper trough portion 204 which is fixed on the lower element I 88 of the photoelectric cell assembly I822. The chute portion 204 is disposed withv its upper end terminating in spaced relation to the upper end I48 of the ramp 30 (see Figures 5, l0 and 12) to prevent interference with the beam of light I 80.

The chute 202 also includes a lower enclosed portion 206, the upper end of which is pivotally supported on an arm 2080 fixed on the supporting bracket I881 This lower enclosed. chute B is adapted to receive parts from the upper fixed trough portion 204 and discharge them into a receptacle such as the box IIIi, gripped between one of the pairs of jaws 621, 63 The lower chute portion 206- includes telescoping parts 208a and 20Gb which permit the lower end to be. raised or lowered, as may be required for packagesof different sizes, and in co-operation with the pivotal support for the upper end thereof, permits the lower end of the chute to be adjusted to insure proper delivery of the counted parts.

To insure passage of the parts from the upper end of the ramp 30 to the upper portion 204 of the chute 202, and prevent the parts from falling onto the lower photoelectric cell element I86, the hopper structure is formed adjacent the upper end I48 of the ramp 30 as best illustrated in Figure 11 to receive a shaft 208 extending transversely of the ramp 30 adjacent and slightly below the upper end I48 thereof. The shaft 208 is provided with one or more fingers 2 I0 which extend laterally therefrom across the space between the ramp 30 and the upper portion 204 of the chute 202. The shaft 208 may be adjusted axially to prevent interruption of the light beam I00 by the finger or fingers 2 I0 and a set screw 2 I2 (see Figure 11) is provided for securing the shaft 288 in: adjusted position. These fingers should be disposed so that any part interrupting the light beam I30 will fall from the fingers and be delivered to the receptacle. Also to insure proper movement of counted parts into the chute it is preferable that the outer end of the outer baffle plate I52 extend beyond the end I48 of the ramp 30 and have a downwardly projecting portion 2 H (see Figure 13) projecting into the upper portion 204 of the chute.

The part loading machine of the present invention is providedv with electrical control means, the components of which may be of conventional design available. commercially and or themselves do not form any part of the present invention. Referring to Figure I, this control means includes a counter panel 2 including dials 2 which may be set. for any desired count between 1- and 999. The electromagnetic vibrator type hopper 24 is electrically connected to a switch 2I8 which is also suitably connected through the control panel 214 and a time delay control mechanism 220 adjustable for insuringa desired time interval between: indexing operations of the annular plate 4-0 upon which the boxes I I8 or other-receptacles are carried. Suitable connections between the switch 2 II, the control panel 214, the time delay mechanism 220 and the clutch solenoid 208 are provided so that upon. movement or the switch M8 to turn the machine on, the electromagnetic vibrator of the hopper is actuated and movement of the parts: upwardly along. the ramp 30 is inltiated and continues until the beam of light I has been interrupted the number of times for which the dials 2I0 have been preset. Upon the completion of this number or interruptions of the beam I90 by a corresponding number of parts passing-- from the upper end of the ramp 30 into the upper portion 200 of the chute 202 the counter panel 2 immediatel terminates the operation of the electromagnetic vibrator of the hopper and energizes the. solenoid 200 which operates the clutch. 00 to effect anin'dexing movement of the plate 40 to move the next receptacle I'Hi supported thereon into position under the lower end of the chute 202. If the predetermined minimum time for which the time delay mechanism 220 has been preset, has already elapsed, the circuit energizing the electromagnetic vi.- brator is again closed audit: is again effective to move the partsalo'ngi the ramp 30 and resume the counting thereof. and delivery of the counted parts through the chute 202 into the receptacle I I6 which has been moved thereunder.

The motor I32 driving: the brush I28,- and the blower 20! may be provided with a separate control switch or, if desired, may be connected to the switch 2 I8.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the part loading machine is provided with a second photoelectric cell assembly 222 which provides a beam of light indicated at 224 extending horizontally ough the space between one of the pairs of jaws 52, as for the purpose of insuring that the part loading machine will not operate unless a receptacle is disposed between these jaws 62 and 63 and interrupting the light beam 224. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, this photoelectric cell assembly 222 is mounted to check the presence of a receptacle between the jaws 62 and 63 which, after two indexing operations, will be disposed under the chute 262.

It will now be appreciated that the automatic part loading machine 05 the present invention may be readily adjusted for packaging a, desired part b making the following adjustments. The spacing of the jaws 62 and 53 may be adjusted by means of the tool H0 in the manner above described to space these jaws for engaging a package of the desired size. The rotating selector element I28 may be adjusted vertically by rotation of the crank I42, and may be inclined at the desired angle by rotation of the adjusting screw I 46, and in this manner the selector element I28 may be accurately positioned as desired relative to the ramp 39 so that the selector element I28 will function properly to return to the hopper any parts disposed to project too high above the highest surface of the ramp 38.

The bafile plate I52 maybe adjusted by means of the knob I68 so that any elongated parts improperl turned on the ramp 31'! will be forced over the inner edge of the ramp causing them to fall to the bottom of the hopper. The plate ll' t, carried by the baffle plate I52, if used is positioned in the desired spaced relation above the ramp 3'3 and secured in this position by the screws lit. The positions of the photoelectric cell assembly M2, the inner baffle plate I 96, and the fingers are, are then carefully adjusted so that each part is accurately positioned between the baffles I52 and I9 at the instant when the part is about to fall from the upper end MB of the ramp 3!? and so that at this same instant the part interrupts the light beam lfiil. It is, of course, important that these adjusments be so made that each part which is counted by interrupting the light beam IQ!) will be delivered through the chute 202 to one of the receptacles Hi5.

It will be noted from a consideration of Figures l0, l2 and 13, that as the parts fall from the ramp 36 onto the finger 2! ii they pass below the outer end of the inner bafile I536 and are guided into the upper trough portion Zll i by the downwardly extending projection 2 it on the end of the baiile I52.

It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a stationary hopper mounted on said member and having a central portion and a ramp extending around said central portion and upwardly therefrom to a counting station, means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp, an annular turntable encircling said hopper and mounted on said member for rotation relative thereto, a plurality of pairs of spaced jaws mounted on said turntable and equiangularly spaced thereabout and normally in closed position for gripping a receptacle disposed therebetween, one of each of said pairs of jaws being fixed relative to said turntable and the other of each of said pairs of jaws being carried by a ring rotatable relative to said turntable for simultaneously varying the spacing between the jaws of each of said pairs, said other of each of said pairs of jaws being pivotally movable relative to said ring and having a cam follower, a cam on said supporting member engaged by said cam follower and co-operating therewith to pivot said other of each or said pairs of jaws to open each of said pairs of jaws throughout a predetermined range of movement of each pair of jaws relative to said supporting member, means for automatically removing the receptacle from each pair of jaws during said predetermined range of movement thereof relative to said supporting member, a chute having its upper end disposed adjacent said counting station in spaced relation to the upper end of Said ramp, said chute being adapted to receive counted parts which have been moved past said counting station and deliver said counted parts to a receptacle gripped in one of said pairs of jaws, a circular stiil bristle brush mounted for rotation about its axis, means supporting said brush on said supporting member in spaced relation along said ramp from said counting station and adjustable for varying the spacing of said brush from said ramp and for varying the inclination and disposition of the axis of said brush relative to said ramp whereby said brush may be disposed to engage any parts which are on top of other parts or otherwise improperl disposed as they move along the ramp toward the counting station and remove such parts from the ramp, means for rotating said brush, a baiiie plate on said ramp intermediate said brush and said chute and adjustable relative to the inner edge of said ramp so that elongated parts improperly turned on said ramp will be forced over the inner edge thereof, a second balile plate disposed inwardly of said first named plate and co-operating therewith for accurately positioning said parts as they pass said counting station, photoelectric cell means at said counting station adapted to direct a beam of light between the end of said ramp and said chute for counting said parts, means adjustably mounting said photoelectric cell means on said supporting member for positioning said beam of light relative to said baffle plates to insure proper counting of said parts, finger means extending across the space between said upper end of said ramp and said upper end of said chute and being adjustable to support parts being counted during movement thereof from said ramp to said chute without said finger means interfering with said beam of light, indexing means for moving-said turntable to successively align receptacles gripped between said pairs of jaws with said chute and control means for said machine including means efiective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing movement to render said meas for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp ineffective until the completion of the next indexing movement, means for preventing a subsequent operation of said indexing means until said predetermined number of parts have been counted after the previous indexing movement and a predetermined minimum period of time has elapsed since the previous indexing movement and thereupon actuating said indexing means, and means for rendering said indexi means inoperative when there is no receptacle on said turntable at a predetermined one of said positions.

2. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a stationary hopper mounted on said member and having central portion and a ramp extending around said central portion and upwardly therefrom to a counting station, means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp, an annular turntable encircling said hopper and mounted on said member for rotation relative thereto, a plurality of pairs of spaced jaws mounted on said turntable and equivangularly spaced thereabout, a chute having its upper end disposed adjacent said counting station in spaced relation to the upper end of said ramp, said chute being adapted to receive counted parts which have been moved past said counting station and deliver said counted parts to a receptacle gripped in one of said pairs of jaws, a circular still bristle brush mounted for rotation about its axis, means supporting said brush on said supporting member in spaced relation along said ramp from said counting station and adjustable for varying the spacing of said brush from said ramp and for varying the inclination and disposition of the axis of said brush relative to said ramp whereby said brush may be disposed to engage any parts which are on top of other parts or otherwise improperly disposed as they move along the ramp toward the counting station and remove such parts from the ramp, means for rotating said brush, a bafile plate on said ramp intermediate said brush and said chute and adjustable relative to the inner edge of said ramp so that elongated parts improperly turned on said ramp will be forced over the inner edge thereof, a second bafiie plate disposed inwardly of said first named plate and cooperating therewith for accurately positioning said parts as they pass said counting station, photoelectric cell means at said counting station adapted to direct a beam of light between the end of said ramp and said chute for counting said parts, means adjustably mounting said photoelectric cell mean on said supporting member for positioning said beam of light relative to said ballle plates to insure proper counting of said parts, finger means extending across the space between said upper n end of said ramp and said upper end of said chute and being adjustable to support parts being counted during movement thereof from said ramp to said chute without said finger means interfering with said beam of light, indexing means for moving said turntable to successively align receptacles gripped between said pairs of jaws with said chute, and control means for said machine including means effective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing movement to render said means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp ineffective until the completion of the next indexing movement, means for preventing a subsequent operation of said indexing means until said predetermined number of parts have been counted after the previous indexing movement and a predetermined minimum period of time has elapsed since the previous indexing movement and thereupon actuating said indexing means, and means for rendering said indexing means inoperative when there is no receptacle on said turntable at a predetermined one of said positions.

3. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a stationary hopper mounted on said member and having a central portion and a ramp extending around said central portion and upwardly therefrom to a count ing station, means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp, a turntable mounted on said member for rotation relative thereto, a plurality of pairs of spaced jaws mounted on said turntable and equiangularly spaced thereabout, a chute having its upper end disposed adjacent said counting station in spaced relation to the upper end of said ramp, said chute being adapted to receive counted parts which have been moved past said counting station and deliver said counted parts to a receptacle gripped in one of said pairs of jaws, a rotatably mounted selector element mounted for rotation about its axis, means supporting said element on said supporting member in spaced relation along said ramp from said counting station and adjustable for varying the spacing of said element from said ramp and for varying the inclination and disposition of the axis of said element relative to said ramp whereby said element may be disposed to engage any parts which are on top of other parts or otherwise improperly disposed as they move along the ramp toward the counting station and remove such parts from the ramp, means for rotating said element, a baflle plate on said ramp intermediate said element and said chute and adjustable relative to the inner edge of said ramp so that elongated parts improperly turned on said ramp will be forced over the inner edge thereof, a second baffle plate disposed inwardly of said first named plate and co-operating therewith for accurately positioning said parts as they pass said counting station, photoelectric cell means at said counting station adapted to direct a beam of light between the end of said ramp and said chute for counting said parts, means adjustably mounting said photoelectric cell means on said supporting member for positioning said beam of light relative to said baiile plates to insure proper counting of said parts, finger means extending across the space between said upper end of said ramp and said upper end of said chute and being adjustable to support parts being counted during movement thereof from said ramp to said chute without said finger means interfering with said beam of light, indexing means for moving said turntable to successively align receptacles gripped between said pairs of jaws with said chute, and control means for said machine including means effective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing movement to render said means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp ineffective until the completion of the next indexing movement, means for preventing a subsequent operation of said indexing means until said predetermined number of parts have been counted after the previous indexing movement and a predetermined minimum period of time has elapsed since the previous indexing movement and thereupon actuating said indexing means, and means for rendering said indexing means inoperative when there is no receptacle on said turntable at a predetermined one of said positions.

4. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a stationary hopper mounted on said member and having a central portion and a ramp extending around said central portion and upwardly therefrom to a counting station, means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp, a turntable mounted on said member for rotation relative thereto, a. plurality of pairs of spaced jaws mounted on said turntable and. equiangularly spaced thereabout, a chute having its upper end disposed adjacent said counting station in spaced relation to the upper end of said ramp, said chute being adapted to receive counted parts which have been moved past said counting station and deliver said counted parts to a receptacle gripped in one of said pairs of jaws, a rotatably mounted selector element mounted for rotation about its axis, means supporting said element on said supporting member in spaced relation along said ramp from said counting station and adjustable for varying the spacing of said element from said ramp and for varying the inclination. and disposition of the axis of said element relative to said ramp whereby said element may be disposed to engage any parts which are on top of other parts or otherwise im properly disposed as they move along the ramp toward the counting station. and remove such parts from the ramp, means for rotating said element, a baflle plate on said ramp intermediate said element and said chute and adjustable relative to the inner edge of said ramp so that elongated parts improperly turned on said ramp will be forced over the inner edge thereof, a second baffle plate disposed inwardly of said first named plate and co-operating therewith for accurately positioning said parts as they pass said counting station, photoelectric cell means at said counting station adapted to direct a beam of light between the end of said ramp and said chute for counting said parts, means adjustably mounting said photoelectric cell means on said supporting member for positioning said beam of light relative to said baffle plates to insure proper counting of said parts, finger means extending across the space between said upper end of said ramp and said upper end of said chute and being adjustable to support parts being counted during movement thereof from said ramp to said chute without said finger means interfering with said beam of light, indexing means for moving said turntable to successively align receptacles gripped between said pairs of jaws with said chute, and control means for said machine including means effective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing movement to render said means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp ineiiective until the completion of the M next indexing movement, and means for preventing a subsequent operation of indexing means until said predetermined number of parts have been counted after the previous indexing movement and a predetermined minimum period of time has elapsed since the previous indexing movement and thereupon. actuating said indexing means.

5. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a turntable rotatably mounted on said member, means on said turntable for supporting a plurality of receptacles thereon at positions equiangularly spaced thereabout, co-operating means on said member and said first named means for selectively rendering said first named means effective and inefiective to grip said receptacles, a hopper mounted on said member, means defining a ramp extending upwardly from said hopper to a counting station, means for moving parts up said ramp, means disposed along said ramp intermediate said hopper and said counting station and adjacent the latter for ejecting from said ramp any parts not properly disposed as they approach said counting station, means at said counting station for accurately counting all parts passing said station, chute means for receiving counted parts and delivering them to a receptacle at one of said positions, means for indexing said turntable to successively align each of said positions thereof so that receptacles disposed in said positions will be successively disposed to receive counted parts from said chute means, means for rendering said last named means inoperative until a predetermined number of parts have been counted in the last indexed position, means for rendering said indexing means inoperative until a predetermined minimum period has elapsed since the previous indexing movement, means rendering said indexing means inoperative when there is no receptacle on said turntable at a predetermined one of said positions, and means efiective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing operation to render inoperative said means for moving said parts up said ramp.

6, An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a turntable rotatably mounted on said member, means on said turntable for supporting a plurality of receptacles thereon at positions equiangularly spaced thereabout, co-operating means on said member and said first named means for selectively rendering said first named means efifective and ineffective to grip said receptacles, a hopper mounted on said member, means defining a ramp extending upwardly from said hopper to a counting station, means for moving parts up said ramp, mean disposed along said ramp intermediate said hopper and said counting station and adjacent the lattor for ejecting from said ramp any parts not properly disposed as they approach said counting station, means at said counting station for accurately counting all parts passing said station, chute means for receiving counted parts and delivering them to a receptacle at one of said positions, means for indexing said turntable to successively align each of said positions thereof so that receptacles disposed in said positions will be successively disposed to receive counted parts from said chute means, means for rendering said last named means inoperative until a predetermined number of parts have been counted in the last indexed position, means for rendering said indexing means inoperative until a predetermined minimum period has elapsed since the previous indexing movement, and means effective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing operation to render inoperative said means for moving said parts up said ramp.-

7. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a turntable rotatably mounted on said member, means on said turntable for supporting a plurality of receptacles thereon at positions equiangularly spaced thereabout, a hopper mounted on said member, means defining a ramp extending upwardly from said hopper to a counting station, means for moving parts up said ramp, mea is disposed along said ramp intermediate said hopper and said counting station and adjacent the latter for ejecting from said ramp any parts not properly disposed as they approach said counting station, means at said counting station for accurately counting all parts passing said station, chute means for receiving counted parts and delivering them to a receptacle at one of said positions, means for indexing said turntable to suecessively align each of said positions thereof so that receptacles disposed in said positions will be successively disposed to receive control parts 15 from said chute means, means for rendering said last named means inoperative until a predetermined number of parts have been counted in the last indexed position, means for rendering said indexing means inoperative until a predetermined minimum period has elapsed since the previous indexing movement, and means effective upon the completion of a predetermined count after the previous indexing operation to render inoperative said means for moving said parts up said ramp.

8. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a hopper mounted on said supporting member adapted to receive a quantity of said parts, means defining a ramp extending from said hopper, means for feeding said parts from said hopper and upwardly along said ramp to a counting station, means mounted on said supporting member for accurately counting said parts when said parts are properly positioned relative to said ramp as they reach said counting station, means disposed along said ramp intermediate said hopper and said counting station and adjacent said counting station for removing from said ramp any of said parts not moving therealong in single file and not properly positioned relative to said ramp, and chute means for receiving the counted parts and delivering them to a loading station.

9. An automatic part loading machine as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for removing improperly disposed parts from said ramp comprises a selector element rotatable about its axis, means adj ustably mounting said selector element on said supporting member for varying the spacing of said element relative to said ramp and the inclination of the axis of said element relative to said ramp, and means for rotating said selector element.

1.0. An automatic part loading machine as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for removing improperly disposed parts from said ramp comprises a selector element rotatable about its axis, means adjustably mounting said selector element on said supporting member for varying the spacing of said element relative to said ramp and the inclination of the axis of said element relative to said ramp, and means for rotating said selector element, said selector element comprising a wire brush having the outer ends of the wires thereof terminating substantially in a plane disposed at right angles to said axis.

11. An automatic part loading machine as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for removing improperly disposed parts from said ramp comprises a baiile extending downwardly along said ramp from said counting station and adjustable transversely of said ramp to restrict the width of said ramp along which parts may travel whereby elongated parts improperly turned relative to the ramp will be forced from said ramp.

12. An automatic part loading machine as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for removing improperly disposed parts from said ramp comprises a selector element rotatable about its axis,

means adjustably mounting said selector element on said supporting member for varying the spacing of said element relative to said ramp and the inclination of the axis of said element relative to said ramp, and means for rotating said selector element and wherein said means for removing improperly disposed parts from said ramp comprises a bafile extending downwardly along said ramp from said counting station and adjustable transversely of said ramp to restrict the width of said ramp along which parts may travel whereby elongated parts improperly turned relative to the ramp will be forced from said ramp.

13. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a hopper mounted on said supporting member, means defining a ramp extending upwardly from the lower part of said hopper, means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp, part selector means mounted on said supporting member and disposed along said ramp for ejecting from said ramp improperly disposed parts, said means comprising a selector element disposed in spaced relation above said ramp to prevent passage upwardly along said ramp of parts projecting more than a predetermined distance above said ramp and adjustable for varying said predetermined distance, and a bafile plate on said ramp adjustable transversely thereof to restrict the width of said ramp along which parts may travel whereby elongated parts improperly turned relative to the ramp will be removed from the ramp.

14. An automatic part loading machine comprising a supporting member, a hopper mounted on said supporting member, means defining a ramp extending upwardly from the lower part 0! said hopper, means for moving said parts upwardly along said ramp, part selector means mounted on said supporting member and disposed along said ramp for ejecting from said ramp improperly disposed parts, said means comprising a selector element brush, the bristles of which terminate at their outer ends in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the brush, means for rotating said selector element, and means for universally adjusting the disposition of said element relative to said ramp, said selector element being a stiif bristle brush of circular cross section mounted for rotation about its axis.

CASS S. KASPER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 398,651 Peters Feb. 26, 1889 707,329 Hornby Aug. 19, 1902 740,801 Brough Oct. 6, 1903 964,782 Hull July 19, 1910 1,460,778 Wilkie July 3, 1923 1,622,709 Evans et a1 Mar. 29, 1927 1,763,084 Bausman June 10, 1930 2,204,126 Domke June 11, 1940 2,515,965 Nurnberg July 18, 1950 

